AU voice concerns at Madagascar’s political developments

The African Union has today condemned calls by Madagascar opposition leader, Andry Rajoelina, demanding for the dismissal of President Marc Ravalomanana, saying efforts to remove democratically elected governments were unacceptable within the union.

The Malagasy opposition leader, who is also the Mayor of the capital, Antananarivo has been trying to mount pressure to out president Ravalomanana and be declared the country’s new ruler.

Latest reports from the city have pointed that Mr Rajoelina has even gone before the Constitutional Court seeking the removal of the president, accusing him of violating the constitution and laws of the country. The city Mayor had also declared himself to have taken control on Saturday, a move that was widely criticised by the country’s civil society and the international community.

Madagascar has gone through a hellish week with mass disturbances that killed about 100 people, following wrangles starting late last year with the closure of the opposition media.